CRC Starts New Mission Work in Africa

Rev. Mwaya Wa Kitavi never dreamed that he and his wife, Munyiva, would one day return to their homeland to open a new mission field with some of the people they know best and with whom they have close ties.

But that is what will happen later this year when the Kitavis, who have been in the United States for almost 25 years, move to Nairobi, Kenya, to serve as missionaries. They will initially be responsible for outreach in Kenya, where the Christian Reformed Church has done some work, as well as Uganda, Zambia and South Africa. They will likely add one country per year as their ministry expands.

"It is the fulfillment of a long dream to be based as a full-time missionary on the ground in Africa," says Kitavi.  "It is good, though, that I am not going back as a stranger. I have made many visits to Africa over the years."

At the same time, he says, the return will be with mixed feelings. "Our four children will stay here to attend college. We are leaving part of ourselves behind."

This Sunday, the Kitavis will bid a formal farewell to friends, colleagues, and supporters. The event and special service begins at 5 p.m. at the African Community Church, a CRC congregation where Kitavi has been the church planter and pastor for many years. The church meets in a former funeral home at 1204 Eastern Ave. SE in Grand Rapids, MI. This past Sunday, two pastors were ordained to take over for Kitavi.

During a special service on Sunday, Kitavi and his wife will be commissioned as missionaries with Christian Reformed World Missions. They plan to leave in November.

"We will bring the gospel and see how we can transform lives in that part of the world," he says. Meanwhile, though, he will remain open to the leading of God as he does the work of the church. "Going back, I believe is part of a divine plan."

Kitavi left Africa to attend the former Reformed Bible College, Calvin College and Calvin Theological Seminary. He also earned a doctorate from Potchefstroom University in South Africa. Before coming to CRWM, he worked for the U.S. Department of Labor and for the Bible League International as its director for Eastern and Southern Africa.

Kitavi’s wife, who is completing her doctorate through Nova Southeastern University in Florida, will be helping to lead the Timothy Leadership Institute’s work in that part of Africa. The institute, which is based at Calvin Theological Seminary, trains indigenous church leaders in pastoral care, teaching skills and other ways to build their churches on a biblical basis.

As director for Eastern & Southern Africa for CRWM, Mwaya Wa Kitavi will work to strengthen Christian secondary and theological schools and libraries. He will also play a role in starting churches, especially among groups that so far have been unreached by the gospel. In addition, he will partner with others to open centers of community transformation, and develop programs that teach pastors skills, such as bee keeping or raising cows or crops, to help sustain them as they grow their churches.

Part of the funding for their work comes from the CRC Ministry Shares system, which makes it possible for CRWM to send out people whom God has called and equipped for mission service even if they don't have a large donor network, says Steve Van Zanen, director of mission education and engagement for CRWM. 

The Kitavis "years of experience and knowledge of the region will serve the cause of Christ well," says Van Zanen.  "We hope to raise a good amount of support for his ministry, but in the meantime, we can move forward to deploy him and his wife for service in Africa."